Meaning of Ephesians 2:20

This verse describes the Church as a divinely constructed building, emphasizing its foundational elements and its ultimate source of unity and strength. The "foundation of the apostles and prophets" refers to the authoritative teaching and witness of those who first received and communicated God's revelation concerning Jesus Christ. These individuals, particularly the apostles who were eyewitnesses and commissioned messengers of Christ, and the prophets who spoke God's word in the Old Testament and foretold Christ's coming, laid the essential groundwork for understanding God's plan of salvation. The "chief cornerstone" is Jesus Christ himself, who is not merely a supporting element but the central, indispensable piece that holds the entire structure together, providing stability, alignment, and purpose. This imagery underscores the exclusive reliance of the Church on Christ and the foundational truths entrusted to the apostles and prophets for its existence and integrity.

Context and Background

Ephesians 2:11-22, where this verse is found, addresses the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles into one new humanity in Christ. Paul explains how Christ has broken down the dividing wall of hostility between these groups, creating a unified community. The preceding verses (2:17-19) speak of Christ bringing peace to both near and far, making access to God possible for all through the Spirit. Verse 20, therefore, serves as a powerful metaphor to illustrate the organic unity and divinely ordained structure of this new community, the Church, which transcends former ethnic and religious barriers.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Construction: The Church is not a human invention but a building actively constructed by God.
• Apostolic and Prophetic Foundation: The authoritative teachings of the apostles and prophets are the bedrock upon which the Church is established. This refers to the inspired Scriptures and the early proclamation of the Gospel.
• Christ as Cornerstone: Jesus is the central, unifying, and essential element of the Church. He is the architect, the builder, and the very substance of the spiritual edifice.
• Unity and Integration: The metaphor of a building implies that all members are integrated into a cohesive whole, with Christ as the point of connection and stability.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse highlights the critical importance of sound doctrine and Christ-centered leadership in the Church. Believers are called to remain steadfast in the teachings of Scripture, which are rooted in the apostles' witness and the prophets' foretellings. Furthermore, it emphasizes that genuine Christian community is built upon Christ's person and work. When the Church deviates from this foundation or neglects its central role, its stability and effectiveness are compromised. Application involves prioritizing biblical exposition, discerning true apostolic teaching from false, and ensuring that all church life and practice are oriented towards Christ.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The concept of God's people as a building or temple is a recurring theme in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the physical Temple in Jerusalem was a focal point of God's presence. The New Testament extends this idea to the Church, the spiritual temple where God dwells through His Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). The prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah, and the apostles were His chosen heralds. Ephesians 2:20 thus connects the Old Testament prophetic promises and the New Testament apostolic proclamation to the person of Christ, completing the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive plan.

Analogies

1. Skyscraper: A skyscraper requires a deep, strong foundation laid by engineers and architects (apostles and prophets) to support its immense structure. The chief cornerstone is the critical beam or structural element at the apex or base that holds everything in place and ensures the building's integrity against external forces.
2. Bridge: A bridge connects two points and must be built on solid piers (foundation) with a central, load-bearing span (cornerstone) that allows safe passage. Without these, the bridge would collapse.
3. Family: While not a building, a strong family has foundational values and traditions passed down from elders (apostles and prophets), with the parents or a central figure (Christ) holding it together and providing direction.

Relation to Other Verses

• 1 Corinthians 3:10-11: "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." This passage directly echoes the theme of Christ as the sole foundation.
• 1 Peter 2:4-6: "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up into a spiritual house..." This verse expands on the building metaphor, portraying believers as living stones integrated into the spiritual structure with Christ as the living cornerstone.
• Acts 4:11-12: "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And in no one else is there salvation, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This verse explicitly identifies Jesus as the rejected stone that becomes the cornerstone, underscoring His unique role in salvation.